Muharram — The Sacred Month and Ashura
Suggest editA Sacred Month
Muharram (محرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months in which fighting was traditionally forbidden. Its name means 'sacred' or 'forbidden,' reflecting its elevated status. The Prophet said: 'The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram' (Muslim). While fasting the entire month is not required, voluntary fasting during Muharram carries special reward.
The Day of Ashura
The 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura (عاشوراء), is a significant day in the Islamic calendar. When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on this day. When he asked why, they said: 'This is a great day. On this day, Allah saved Musa and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted this day in gratitude to Allah.' The Prophet said: 'We have more right to Musa than you.' He fasted this day and ordered Muslims to fast it (Bukhari and Muslim).
Fasting Ashura
The Prophet said: 'Fasting the Day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will expiate the sins of the year before it' (Muslim). To distinguish from the Jewish practice, the Prophet recommended fasting either the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th of Muharram together, rather than the 10th alone. This two-day combination is the recommended practice. Scholars note that the sins expiated are minor sins; major sins require specific repentance (tawbah).
Historical Context
In addition to its connection to Prophet Musa, Muharram is associated with other significant events. The Hijrah (migration to Madinah) took place during Muharram, which is why Umar ibn al-Khattab chose it as the first month of the Islamic calendar. The martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the Prophet's grandson, at Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE) took place on the 10th of Muharram. Ahl us-Sunnah honors Husayn's sacrifice and recognizes the tragedy of Karbala while maintaining that the Sunnah observance of Ashura is fasting, not mourning rituals, as the day's significance was established by the Prophet before the events of Karbala.